A replica of one of the most memorable movie cars of the 1980s is now being offered for sale in New Jersey, bringing a piece of comedy film history back into the spotlight.
The vehicle is a 1987 Ford LTD Crown Victoria station wagon that has been converted into a convincing version of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster, the famously awkward family car featured in the 1983 comedy film National Lampoon’s Vacation. The film, starring Chevy Chase, follows Clark Griswold on a cross-country road trip from suburban Chicago to the fictional Walley World amusement park in California, with the unusual station wagon becoming a central visual gag throughout the story.
In the film, the Truckster appears after Griswold expects to receive a far more appealing station wagon. Instead, he is forced to accept the oversized and oddly styled vehicle after his trade-in is destroyed, leaving him stuck with the bizarre family hauler for the entire journey.
The original Truckster used in the film was based on a 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon and intentionally exaggerated the styling traits common to late-1970s American wagons. Its unusual design included stacked headlights, heavy imitation wood paneling covering much of the body, a hood-mounted fuel filler, and a mostly blocked front grille.
While the car quickly became one of the most recognizable vehicles in movie history, none of the five examples built for the film are believed to have survived. Replicas have since helped keep the legacy alive at museums, fan gatherings, and automotive events.
The example now for sale began life as a standard 1987 Ford LTD Crown Victoria wagon before being transformed in 2014 by a racing team known as Speedycop and The Gang of Outlaws. The group built the car to compete in the 24 Hours of Lemons, a motorsports event known for humorous and creatively themed vehicles.
Following the event, the car was sold to a new owner and eventually resurfaced on the market.
The replica carries the distinctive styling associated with the movie car, including the stacked headlights, green paint and extensive wood paneling, and the unusual grille design. Inside, the wagon features brown cloth upholstery with seating for eight passengers and rear-facing seats in the cargo area.
Power comes from a fuel-injected 5.0-liter High Output V8 sourced from a Mustang GT, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The engine is capable of producing around 200 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque depending on the specific model year.
The vehicle is currently listed for sale in Ramsey, New Jersey. The sale includes spare parts, a workshop manual, manufacturer literature, a Carfax report, and a New Jersey title.
Source
